Matrix-making machine



Ja... 1o, 1928. v1,655,855

Y H. F. BECHMAN.

MATRIX MAKING MACHINE Filed Auz. 6. l 2 Sheets-.Sheet l 7 WMI - l lzmmaghI Jan. I0, 192a H. F. BECHIAN MATRIX MAKING MACHINE Filed Auz. 6, 1.925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

l UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

HENRY F. BECHMAN, F BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DUPLEX PRINTEN' G PRESS COMPANY, OF .BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

MATRIX-MAKING MACHINE.

Application mea August e, 1925. serial No. 45,542. l

This invention is an improvement in machines for making or rolling matrices in the manufacture of stereotype plates. Said machines as ordinarily constructed have a reciprocatory bed, on which is placed the type form or surface from which the matrix is to be made, and a pressure roll Ywhichrcooperates with said bed to press the paper or Hong forthe matrix upon the face of the type form so as to produce an intaglio impression in the Hong from the type; considerable pressure beingrequired to force the printing Surface of the type form into the long or paper sheets to make the matrix. This pressure in such matrix machines sometimes distorts or displaces the flong or causes it to wrinkle, resulting in an imperfect matrix, and necessitating the making Ofanother. Y

The object of the present invention is to eliminate troubles of this nature by providing means to smooth or iron the flong and press it gently against the type as and before it passes between the pressure roll and the bed, whereby severe pressure is appliedV thereto.

I will illustrate and explain one practical embodimentof the invention as applied to a' known type of matrix making machine to enable others to adopt and use the invention; and summarize in the claims the essentials ofthe invention and novel features of con struction and novel combination of parts for which protection is desired.

In the accompanying drawings: p vFigure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of partof a well known type of matrix rolling machine equipped with one practical embodiment of my invention; well-known parts of the machine which are unnecessary to an understanding of the present invention being omitted.

Figure 2 is an end view of Figurey 1. Figures 3 and'4 are enlarged detail views of the parts more. particularly relating to the present invention, and illustrating the y e operation thereof.

The matrix machine shown is of a wellknown type, and has side frames l between which is mounted a reciprocable bed 2, having racks 2 meshing with'V gears Bon the end of a bed supporting and operating roll.

3, which is mounted on a shaft 31 journaled in the frames 1.

Mounted above the bed and roll 3 is a pressure roll 4 having a shaft 4a, journaled in the Vframes l. The rolls 3 and 4 are provided with interineshin gears 3c, 4, by which they are operate in unison.

The roll 3 may be driven by any suitable mechanism, not illustrated, such as is commonly employed in such machines. The frames l may be connected b the usual suitable ties only one tie bar la eing shown in the drawings, this bar lal being located above the cylinder 4.

The bed 2 is adapted to carry the type form or printing surface, indicated at P, from which a matrix is to be made; such matrix being made by laying a flong or sheet y blankets B are laid over the long to cushion the pressure applied by the roll 4 thereto, and to protect the flong from direct contact with the roll. y

All the foregoing parts'may be constructed and operated as in the well known matrix roller machine and need -no further explanation.

When the machine is started, the bed moves in one direction for the length of the bed and then stops. If this one stroke is all that is necessary to properly impress the flon it is removed from the type form (the bedieing then in position to receive a new Hong and on the next return stroke of the bed, 1n the reverse direction another matrix may be rolled. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to have the bed make two or more strokes in order to suiliciently or perfectly impress the type into the Hong.

Considerable pressure between the roll and the form is necessary to force the printing face of the form into the flong and, as stated, in machines as ordinarily constructed this pressure sometimes distorts the flong and causes it to wrinkle, or displaces it on the form, with resultant loss of material and ltime; and my invention eliminates this faces of the adjacent members 5 and 6 arev preferably provided with suitable brake lin-` ings 5a, 6a, adapted to engage the periphery of the roll v4. The members 5 and 6` of each pair are also preferably pivotally connected together at their upper ends and are rpreferablypivoted on a rod y7, which connects the pair of members, and said rod is carried by the said members which are supported bythe roll.

In the lower vends of the members 5 is journaled a roller 5b; and in the lower ends of the members 6 is journaled a roller 6b; said rollers 5b, 6b being so disposed that if the pivot 7 is directly over the axis ofthe roll 4, neither roller 5b or6b would be in po- 30.

' on the type form if the bed moved it there# sition to contact With the flong or blanket under.' c

The pairs of members 5 and 6 are properly spaced apart by means of collars 721 on rod 7 and thel rolls 5b, 6b and the lower ends of the members are restrained by' collars 5d and 6d on the shafts of the rollers, as indicated in the drawings, or in any other suitable Vmanner.V The rod 7 members 5 and 6 and rollers 5,.6"l being mounted on the roll 4 as described Will move bodily with the roll4avhen the same turns to the right or left until' their movement is arrested'by proper stop means.

As shown members 5 and 6 are'provide'd with upwardly projecting lugs V5c and 6, respectively, which are adapted to contact with opposite side of the tie b arlL and limit the'rotatorial movement of the pairs of mem! bers 5 aud 6 and rollers 5b, 6P with and around the roll'4." y j f The members 5' and 6 are caused to yieldingly clamp the cylinder 4 between them by means of an extension spring 8 interposed between the lugs 5, 6c. Said spring may be strung-'upon a rod 8a pivotally connected with one of the lugs and extending through the other lug as indicated in Figures 3 and 4.

Y Operation. A form of type'orv printing surface from which the matrix is to bey made is placed ony the bed 2 when the latter is at the end of'itsfoutyvard movement at either end of the main frame. The Hong vorpapei` F for the matrix is laid over the'type form, and

one or more blanketsBplaced over the long. The machine is then started so as to, for example, turn the roll 4 clockwise and move the bed 2 to the left (as in Fig. 3), As roll 4 starts to revolve the members 5 and 6 which are supported thereon turn clock-V wise with the roll until therotatorial movement of said members is arrested by the lugs 5c engaging the barv la, or by other suitable stop means. This movement of the members brings the roller 6b into position torengage the blankets and flong, as the bed passes to to the left, and press the ong against the form with a pressure determined by the extent of frictional pressure bet-Ween the mem-v bers 5 and 6 and the surface of the Vroll 4. The roller 6b thus presses and holds the flong lightly but smoothly` against'the type form and' prevents shifting or bucklingof the flong in advancerof the severe pressure applied. to ythe Hong by roll 4. The aforesaid initial movement of the members 5 land 6 While lowering the roller 6b to operative position, raisesl the roller 5b so that' it will i not contact with the flong or blankets Yas they pass out from beneath the roll 4 (see Figure3). lfVhen the bed has completed its stroke to the left the machine stops and isready vfor. operation in the, reverse direction. The im-' pressed matrix can be removed from the type form, and if it is desired to make another matrix from the'same type form a fresh 'flong is placed upon the type and the machine operated to move the bed to the rightl (Figure 4).' As the bed starts to the right the roll 4 revolves anti-clockwise land members 5 and 6 turn with the roll until*V their movement is arrested by the lugs6c en gaging the bar la; and this movement lowers the rollerfb into position to contact with the; flong and smooth and press itlightly against the type surface before the Hong' is engaged by roll 4. l/Vhenfroller 5b is lowered to o e erative position, roller 6b is simultaneousy raised out of the Way' as'shown `in Figure 4.'

Thus at each operation of the machine, or each linearmovement of the bed, the Hong will be lightly pressed and smoothed out before, and in readiness for, the application of'v t-he severe pressure, before such severe pressure is applied thereto.

Obviously the invention is not limitedto the particular construction of parts shown and described; the essentially novel feature of the invention being the 'arovision of means whereby the flong Will automati-` cally j prelimi-n'arily ironed, vpressed orl smoothed'out before itl is subjected to the` Y severe pressure required to properlyimpress the Hong by thev type. y

VI claim:

`l. In amatrix making machine, means for.

pressing the longlupon vatype form'to receive an intaglio impression-therefrom; with means for smoothing the long upon the type form inadvance of the application of theimpressionV pressure thereto and rictional means for applying pressure to the Asaid.

during the operation from, with means actuated by rictional contact with theroll for lightly pressing the long upon the type form in advanceof the application ot' the impression pressure thereto. y f

3. In, a matrix machine, pressure means, and means at each side of the pressure means for smoothing the Hong before the application of the pressure means, and means for alternately moving the rollers into or out of operative position in accordance with the direction of rotation of the roll.

4. In a matrix machine, in combination with pressure means; of rollers disposed at opposite sides of the pressure means and respectively adapted to smooth the long in advance of the operation of said pressure means and means iiormoving the rollers into or out ot' operative position in accordance with the direction of rotation of the roll.

5. In a matrix roller; a bed and a pressure roll coacting therewith; with means for smoothing out the flong in advance of its passage between said roll and bed and frictional means for applying pressure to the saidrsmoothing means during the operation thereof.

6. In a matrix roller machine, a reciprocatory bed and coacting pressure roll; and means beside the pressure roll and actuated by rictional contact therewith adapted to smooth out the longin advance of its passage between the pressure roll and bed.

7. In a matrix roller machine, a reciprocatory bed and coacting pressure roll; a roller beside the pressure roll adapted to smooth out the long in advance of its passage between the pressure roll and bed; and means for shifting said rollerinto and out of operative position, in accordance with the direction of movement of the bed.

8. Ina matrix roller, a bed and a pressure roll; means at each side of the roll for smoothing the Hong in advance of its passage between the pressure roll and bed; and means for moving said smoothing means into and out of operative position in accordance with the direction of rotation of the roll.

9. In a matrix roller, a bed and a pressure roll; and a roller at each side of the roll for smoothing the ilong in advance of its passage between the pressure roll and bed, and means for moving the opposite rollers in and out of operative position in accordance with the direction of rotation of the roll.

lO. In a matrix roller, having a bed and a.

pressureroll; means at each side of the roll for smoothing Vthe flong in advance. of its passagey between the pressure roll andbed; and means -for shifting said means into and out of operative position in accordance with the direction of movement of the bed.

11. In a matrix roller, having a reciprocatory bed and coacting pressure roll; rollers ldisposed at opposite sides of the pressure roll-.and respectively adapted to smooth the flong in advance of its passage between the pressure rollervandbed in either direction, and means for moving the opposite rollers in and out oftoperative position in accordance with the direction of rotation of `the rolls.

l2. In a matrix roller having a reciprocatory bed and coacting pressure roll; of rollers disposed at opposite sides ofthe pressure roll and respectively adapted to smooth the Hong in advance of its passage between the pressure roller and bed in either direction; and means for automatically shifting said rollers into and out of operative position in accordance with the direction of the movement of the bed or rotation ot' the pressure roller.

13. In a matrix machine having a pressure roll; a roller beside the pressure roll adapted to smooth out the flong in advance of its passage under the pressure roller, a member supporting said roller, and means whereby said member is actuated to raise or lower the roller according to the direction of rotation of the roll.

14. In a matrix roller machine the combination of a reciprocatory bed, a pressure roll coacting therewith, a pair of members beside said roll and a pressure roller mounted on said members and movable therewith, and adapted to smooth out the Hong in advance of its passage between the pressure roll and bed, and means whereb said members are raised or lowered accor ing to the direction of rotation of the roll.

l5. A matrix roller having a bed, and a pressure roll; with pairs of members beside the pressure roll, rollers mounted in said members at opposite sidesv of the roll, and means whereby the said members are shifted to bring the rollers into or out of operative posit-ion in accordance with the direction of rotation of theroll.

16. In a matrix machine having a pressure roll; a roller beside the pressure roll adapted to smooth out the flong in advance of its passage under the pressure roller, a member supporting said roller, and means whereby said member is rictionally supported by said roll and adapted to be raised or lowered according to the direction of rotation of the roll, and means for limiting the rotatorial movement of said member.

V17. In a matrix roller machine the combination of a reciprocatory bed, a pressure roll coacting therewith, a pair of members mounted upon'said roll andfriotionally enga'gedV therewith, a pressure roller mounted on said members and movable therewith and adapted to smooth out the long in advance of its passage between the pressure roll and bed, and means for limiting the rotatorial movementof `the members with the roll.

18.v In a matrix roller,V a bedfa pressure.

' roll, pairs of pivotal bracket-s mounted upon the pressure roll and frietionally engaged therewith, rollersmounted in said brackets carried by said members at opposite sides of the roll, and means for limiting the rotatorial movement of said members with the l5 roll.

19. In a matrix rollrmaehine, a reeipro-- catorybed and oacting pressu-reroll; pairs of plvo'tal members mounted on the. roll,

means irictionally engaging vksaid me'rnbers with .therroll to cause them to .turn therewith, means for limiting the rotatorial move- HENRY F. BECHMAN. 

